Man accused of sexual abuse of minor arraigned

PALMER — Robert Akens was arraigned in Palmer Superior Court on three charges of sexual abuse of a minor.

Alaska State Troopers received a report that Akens was abusing a minor on Aug. 3, 2018, and a Grand Jury returned a true bill on the three counts. On April 23, Akens was arrested and bail was set at $50,000 cash appearance and $50,000 cash performance. Should Akens come up with the $100,000, he would then be required to be monitored by the Pretrial Enforcement Division and have no contact with any minors under 18 years old. Akens had not guilty pleas entered for him by Judge John Wolfe, who maintained the bail conditions and set a pretrial conference for June 14. Akens’ trial could start as soon as July 1.

“In addition to the grand jury finding a true bill on three counts, the defendant’s foster daughter who was 9 years old disclosed that the defendant was touching her sexually,” said Assistant District Attorney Melissa Wininger-Howard.

Akens was charged with one count of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree, an unclassified felony with a maximum prison sentence of 35 years and a minimum of 25 with five years of suspended time and 15 years of probation. The charge comes with a maximum fine of $500,000 and $100,000 for each of his two sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree charges. The second degree charges are a class B felony with a presumptive term of five to 15 years of jail time.

Akens is retired and questioned Wolfe about how to arrange for an attorney to represent him from court. Akens rotated back and forth in his chair. He sat up with his arms crossed and elbows on the table to speak and sat back with his hands folded across his belly as he listened. Akens’ conditions of release that he not have contact with anyone under 18 years of age was maintained, including his son.

“Does the state take them away?” Akens asked.